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New Orleans Saints free agency outlook: wide receiver

Robert Meachem: Seahawks vs. Saints 2014

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Robert Meachem catches a Drew Brees pass that was nearly intercepted by the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC divisional playoff game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle on Saturday, January 11, 2014.
(David Grunfeld, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)

The likelihood of the New Orleans Saints becoming a major player in free agency isn't too high. New Orleans doesn't possess a boatload of money, even with the salary cap at $133 million, plus the team has some work to do to hang on to its own potential free agents.

The Saints sat in a similar position last offseason, and yet they landed players such as cornerback Keenan Lewis, linebacker Victor Butler and tight end Benjamin Watson. And despite limited funds they fought hard to land top-flight pass rusher Paul Kruger, who eventually signed with Cleveland. So the Saints are capable of waving their salary cap wand to make some unexpected signings.

With free agency beginning March 11, and discussions between agents and other teams commencing March 8, we'll take a look at each position group in free agency and what the Saints might ponder:

Saints depth chart

Marques Colston

Kenny Stills

Lance Moore

Nick Toon

Andy Tanner

Chris Givens

Charles Hawkins

Saints free agents

Robert Meachem (unrestricted)

Joe Morgan (restricted)

Top WR free agents

Eric Decker

Julian Edelman

James Jones

Golden Tate

Emmanuel Sanders

Hakeem Nicks

Next tier WR free agents

Kenny Britt

Jacoby Jones

Brandon LaFell

Andre Roberts

Sidney Rice

Ted Ginn

Dexter McCluster

Jerome Simpson

Jacoby Ford

Saints position priority: medium

What the Saints might do in free agency: The Saints might focus on keeping their own potential free agents rather than sorting through the pile of solid, but not great, wide receivers who are going to hit the open market.

Meachem is set to become an unrestricted free agent, while Morgan is a restricted free agent. There's been some initial talks between the Saints and both players' representatives about bringing back the wideouts, according to sources.

New Orleans probably hopes Morgan can become the heir apparent to Meachem as the team's top deep threat. But Morgan has to remain healthy after landing on injured reserve during training camp two of the past three seasons.

If the Saints decide to unload Lance Moore as a salary cap casualty (nearly $5.1 million cap number in 2014), the team's need for a wide receiver could heighten in free agency.

Even though Decker piled up some monster numbers with the Broncos the past couple of seasons, the fact that he's widely considered the best receiver to hit the market should say something about the available free agents at the position.

The Saints more than likely won't be in the market for any of the top-tier players, though Tate would be a nice addition to the offense and as a return man. Those are the types of receivers the Saints could be searching for in free agency. Jacoby Jones, a New Orleans native, and McCluster stick out as possible lower-priced options for the Saints.

The best bet for the Saints to snag a new wide receiver, though, seems to be in the draft, where the class is considered one of the deepest in several years.